Weekend in Review: Veterans Day, DuPage forest district changes

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks of the field after a play against the Houston Texans in the first half an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

Honoring WW II vets with an eye on the future

The local Honor Flight charity has taken almost 4,000 veterans to see the World War II Memorial. With even the youngest veterans of that war now approaching 90, those veterans say they'd like to see the effort keep going after they are gone, expanding to include veterans of Korea, Vietnam and our 21st Century wars. Full story.

Republicans eye 2014 governor's race

As Republican candidates start lining up for a run for Illinois governor in 2014, so do issues the party must consider, some party leaders and analysts say. Among them: appealing to minority voters, bridging regional differences and finding the right place on the political spectrum. Full story.

DuPage forest district to see major changes

Dramatic changes are coming to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. Three new commissioners were elected last week, including the district's first Democrat, a new public affairs director was hired, and the search continues for an executive director. Full story.

Why 1 in 4 chose to vote before Tuesday

Nearly one in four people in the Chicago suburbs who voted in Tuesday's election went to a polling place in person and voted early. Election experts say this percentage will only grow as early voting continues to gain traction across the county. In Kane County, one in three people who voted did so ahead of time. Full story.

Divers recover missing man's body

Friends were remembering Vance Nwankwo as a popular student, and a movie and music enthusiast and White Sox fan who enjoyed making people laugh. The body of the 25-year-old South Barrington man who went missing after a Halloween party was discovered 10 days later in a pond near his house. "He always wanted to bring out the good in people," a friend said. Full story.

Four may vie for McHenry County Board Chair

McHenry County Chairman Ken Koehler is still deciding whether he wants to go for a fifth term as leader of the board, incumbents Tina Hill and Ersel Schuster said they want the chairmanship, and Nick Provenzano said he's considering it. All four are Republicans. The board will choose a chairman at its organizational meeting Dec. 3. Full story.

Geneva teachers file labor complaint

The Geneva teachers union Saturday filed an unfair labor practice charge against Geneva Community Unit District 304, two days ahead of its impending strike. According to a statement from the Geneva Education Association, the school board "sent a threat directly to teachers in an illegal attempt to coerce/intimidate them from their plans to engage in a lawful strike." Full story.

NIU police chief on leave amid scandal

Northern Illinois University Police Chief Donald Grady on Saturday was placed on administrative leave after a court found the department took part in an "egregious" and "purposeful hiding of information" in handling a sexual assault case. Grady will be on leave pending the finalization of charges and disciplinary action, Acting Director of Public Safety Bill Nicklas said in a statement. Full story.

GOP retains hold of Lake County board

Despite big wins by Democratic candidates across the suburbs, control of the Lake County Board will remain in Republican hands. Because of redistricting and a remapping process that shrunk the board from 23 to 21 members, every seat was up for election last week. When the ballots were counted, 13 Republicans and eight Democrats were victorious. Full story.

Car crashes into Elgin church

The New Hope Baptist Church in Elgin won't be holding Sunday school or services after a man crashed his vehicle into the building. The accident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the driver lost control of his vehicle while driving south on McLean Boulevard and struck a corner of the church, located at 1405 Wing St., Elgin Fire Battalion Chief Tim Michaels said. Full story.

Fire guts Grayslake home

A single-family home in Grayslake is uninhabitable after a fire Saturday afternoon destroyed much of the interior. Nobody was in the house when the fire started at about 3:17 p.m. on the 33000 block of North Lone Rock. The blaze apparently began in the rear of the ranch home. Investigators said it caused an estimated $150,000 in damage. Full story.

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